While most companies recognize they should at least have a web presence online, there is so much more technology available to help them become more efficient and provide improved customer service, as well as offering something they may not have even realized, this being better decision-making. With companies getting more and more competitive, it’s becoming more important than ever to go through a digital transformation and take advantage of any and all opportunities to remain in the forefront of the pack.
Why a Digital Transformation?
In order to determine why a company would want to undergo a digital transformation, it must be defined. A digital transformation involves the integration of technology into all aspects of running a business, developing a new digital foundation that influences every facet of operation, as well as how a business delivers value to their customers. The reason why many companies decide to take on this type of transformation is because the results typically show measurable and impressive improvements in key areas of business operations.
Improved Employee Efficiency
Digitizing manual processes and tasks that employees routinely perform make take some time up front to develop but once manual tasks become automated, it frees up employees to focus their time and effort elsewhere. Traditional functions involving payroll, accounting, and finance often center around repetitive tasks that are fairly easily automated. Once employees can break away from manual processing, they can focus on other projects that require a more hands-on focus.
Improving the Customer Experience
Customers always appreciate streamlined, thoughtful improvements in their experience with a business. Automating customer interaction processes reduces wait times, and providing a 24/7 customer outreach mechanism allows customers to reach out with questions or comments when it’s most convenient for them. By using a CRM (customer relationship management) application, employees can view a customer’s question, find out all the necessary information, and provide an immediate full response, as well as additional information they think is helpful. By going the extra mile, customers feel appreciated and customer representatives have an opportunity to expand a sale and/or provide extra goodwill.
Improved Security
Digitizing corporate data is one of the foundational ways in which a company can protect such a vital asset. Manually stored data is vulnerable to theft, loss, and natural disasters such as a flood or fire. By automating all data including pertinent information such as customer and vendor contacts, payroll information, employee profile data, sales orders, etc., companies have protected their most vital resource — corporate data that allows them to function on a daily basis. By developing a comprehensive backup and restoration plan, companies can easily restore their data in the event they experience a catastrophic failure.
Better Decision-Making
Not only is it a good idea to digitally transform corporate data for security reasons, it is also helpful to have detailed information in order to facilitate better decision-making. By digitizing corporate data, companies can capture, store, and analyze large volumes of data that can almost effortlessly be pulled together by specific applications. A variety of software applications are available that can incorporate and formulate large amounts of complex data, giving business owners key insights into how well their business is functioning (or not), and suggestions on where to focus their efforts in order to make improvements.
It Takes Some Time
As with any other project, digitally transforming a company’s operations does take some initial time and effort. However, once transformed most businesses begin to reap the benefits of their transformation right away. Improved data security, an improved customer experience, and greater insight into the overall functions of the business, even down to a very fine level, are all typical gains that business owners enjoy after undergoing their transformation.
If you would like more information on how to digitally transform your business, please contact us!
